Everest industry news
YouTube fuels new home security threat
24 April 2008
The proliferation of internet videos on media sharing websites such as YouTube showing would-be burglars how to break into properties has heightened the security risk for UK homes.This is according to the lock manufacturer Swish, which is raising awareness about 'bumping' and 'molegrip' techniques employed by criminals and disseminated via the web.
Fears have been raised that instructional videos online are making it easy for a new generation of burglars to learn the tricks of the trade.
Many social networking sites now feature videos showing molegrip and bumping methods, with which thieves can bypass cylinder locks on doors with worrying ease.
The former technique is more primitive and involves removing lock cylinders using a molegrip.
Bumping, however, leaves no trace of a break-in. Using the method, burglars can force locks by inserting and tapping a simple skeleton key, which aligns the pins and facilitates a clean entry.
Crime prevention experts in the UK are urging homeowners to be wary of the fact that these expertise are becoming increasingly widespread.
Installing a home security system can help deter opportunist burglars, as can double glazing, outdoor lights and additional locks on doors and windows.
